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Mill rate and re-assessment hit hard this year in Scugog A An over increases in property taxes this year, a group of Township residents say they will lobby the local council to put a halt to any large scale projects such as a new are- na, swimming pool or municipal building. Calling itself Citizens Against Unjustified Taxes, the group held an organizational meeting over the weekend at the home of Nestleton area farmer and businessman Don Frew. View Lake resident Barb Walton was named chairperson of the group. The group ran an ad in the Port Perry Star last week ask- ing for input from people who feel their property tax increases were too high this year, and about 140 phone calls were re- ceived, said Mr. Frew in an in- terview Sunday. He said there seems to be a lot of anger, especially among people who are facing property tax hikes that range from 20 to 40 per cent, and higher in a few instances. nger o Mr. Frew said the newly formed group has agreed to at- tend a feasibility study meeting this Thursday night (June 22) at the Township office in Port Perry to voice objections to any proposals for new recreation projects such as a second ice pad, swimming pool or fitness centre-banquet hall. "We don't think the Town- ship can afford these things at this time," Mr. Frew told the tar. Volume 123 Number 30 PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989 He also suggested that long range plans to improve the parkland in Port Perry should be put on hold, as well as the planning for a new municipal building. The citizens groups also plans to hold a public informa- tion meeting about taxes on Tuesday, June 27 at the Nestle- ton Community Centre. And he said, that some rat- epayers have indicated they plan to withold some of their property taxes for a time this year, as a form of protest. The reason why some rate- payers in Scugog were hit with tax hikes in the 20 to 40 per cent range this year is two-fold: the overall mill rate increase (local and Regional government, and 'school boards) was 14.87 per cent across the board, and all properties in Scugog were re- assessed this year on a 1984 ver hike in property taxes market value basis. Mr. Frew said that from the phone calls received last week, there "is a lot of anger and frus- tration out there. People want to know why and they want to know where the (tax) money is going." He cited one case of an eld- erly widow on a fixed income who is not sure just how she will pay her tax bill this year. (Turn to page 4) Copy 50¢ 52 Pages Officials fear rabies could be | on the increase | A skunk shot June 10 by Durham Police in the Paxton- Simcoe Streets area of Port Pay has been confirmed as rabid. And officials fear there may be more cases of rabid animals inthe Port Perry area. Dr. John Churchill of Agri- culture Canada Health of Ani- - mals Branch, told the Star Mon- day that the skunk was the first known case in Port Perry this year. "But when there is one case, there could be more," he said. The dead skunk was tested for rabies and confirmed on " June 16. Dr. Churchill said there is no evidence the skunk had con- tact with domestic animals, al- though one dog was putin short quarantine as a precaution. The dog, he said, had up-to- date rabies vacine, and there was no concrete proof of contact with the skunk. Dr. Churchill said people in the Paxton-Simcoe Streets area of the community should make sure their pets are under "close supervision," and check to see the rabies shots are up to date. He also urged parents in the area to talk to their children about rabies and instruct them not to approach any skunk, fox or raccoon. So far this year in Durham Region there have been 32 cases of rabies, which is about aver- age. But there has been a high concentration in the Uxbridge area. And with the single case confirmed in Port Perry last week, there could be more, warned Dr. Churchill. Anyone who wants to re- port a case of suspected rabies can contact the Agriclture Canada office in Bowmanville at 623-5769. Relax, garbage strike averted by Rob Streich Scugog's garbage won't be piling up at the curbside this week . A strike by Metro works employees was averted last * Thursday night when negotia- tors reached a tentative agree- ment. Metro works employees are responsible for operations at the Brock West Landfill site which is the principle' waste disposal facility in Durham. If the Metro workers had walkéd off the job, much of Durham, in- dading Scugog Township would have suspended garbage collection. Contingency plans by local municipalities would have gone into effect, including stockpil- ing the garbage at the 3 region- al transfer stations; in Scugog, Oshawa and Darlington. 12,000 members of the Ca- nadian Union of Public Em- Jloyees Locals 43 and 79 could egally have walked out at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 16. i Life long dream realized Nobody could have been happler than the Mitchell family last Thursday when Wind Reach Farm Project, a lifelong dream of Sandy Mitchell, was officially opened. The whole idea behind the project was to provide a farm setting that all people could enjoy--disabled or able-bodied. Judging by the happy looks on the faces of (left to right) Sandy, his son lan and his wife Marla, the opening was both a triumph and a success. See story Inside this Issue of the Port Perry Star for detalls. a